The 2011 Associated Press NFL All-Pro team was named on Friday, and the USC Trojans were well represented. Former Trojans accounted for three of the 56 spots, with safety Troy Polamalu earning first team honors for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and center Ryan Kalil and linebacker Brian Cushing garnering second team honors for their work this season.
↵Polamalu played in all 16 games for the Steelers this season for the first time since 2008. He had two interceptions, one fumble recovery for a touchdown, and 64 tackles. It is the fourth time Polamalu has been voted first team All-Pro in his nine-year career, joining 2005, 2008, and 2010. Polamalu was voted to the second team in 2004 and 2007.
↵Cushing had 76 tackles and four sacks in 16 games in his third season for the first-time playoff bound Houston Texans, and made the All-Pro second team for the first time in his career. It was also the first All-Pro second team selection for center Ryan Kalil of the Carolina Panthers, who also made the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive year. The fifth-year offensive lineman will soon be joined in the league by his brother Matt Kalil, who is expected to be a top-five pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
↵For more USC football news and notes, be sure to read Conquest Chronicles.